NBA Playoffs 2012 Predictions: Projecting Winners of Every Series

Over half of the NBA will enter the playoffs with a chance to bring home a title. Well, in theory each team has a chance.

In reality, 15 of those 16 teams will begin their summers empty-handed and looking to the future.

The Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat have spent the season atop the standings, but what will that mean for the postseason?

More of the same, most likely—but not without a few surprises along the way. 

The postseason isn't far off, but if it began today this is how it might go down—from the first round all the way through the Finals. 

First Round: Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The Chicago Bulls are quite simply better than the Philadelphia 76ers at every position. 

They also have arguably the league's deepest bench and best coach.

Between the talent differential and intangible advantages, Philly really doesn't have a chance in this series. Even if Derrick Rose is a bit rusty, the rest of the Bulls have spent plenty of time becoming self-sufficient.

Prediction: Chicago takes it 4-1.

First Round: San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have the kind of size inside that's been known to bother the San Antonio Spurs, but Tyrone Corbin's up-and-coming club will be overmatched in every other respect.

With Tony Parker having an MVP-like season and Tim Duncan looking more and more like he's found the fountain of youth, San Antonio should control its own destiny for most of the postseason. This team has been on a roll (winning nine straight) even with its stars getting lots of rest.

Utah has a young squad that will become pretty intimidating sooner rather than later—just not soon enough to beat the Spurs.

Prediction: The Spurs will sweep and rest up for the next round.

First Round: Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks

The Miami Heat may have taken their season series with the New York Knicks 3-0, but that doesn't mean they'll run away with the first round quite so easily.

New York has been playing like a brand new team under Coach Mike Woodson, and Carmelo Anthony is playing like the old superstar the Knicks were expecting him to be. The Knicks have guys who can finish around the rim and exploit Miami's lack of interior defense.

There's a chance for an upset here, but don't bet on it.

Prediction: Miami pulls out a close series 4-2. 

First Round: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks

As unimpressive as the Dallas Mavericks have looked this season, they could still give the Oklahoma City Thunder a run for their money.

This may not be the same Dallas team that rode Tyson Chandler to a title last year, but we know it has the kind of veterans who will work twice as hard in the postseason. Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd and Vince Carter are still a dangerous core when it's all on the line.

And, with a top-notch coach like Rick Carlisle running the show, this team always has a better chance than you think. They may not be good enough to stop an Oklahoma City squad that's even better than it was last year, though.

Prediction: Dallas could tire the Thunder out enough to affect Oklahoma City's title hopes, but the Mavericks will go home after a hard-fought 4-2 series. 

First Round: Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic

The Indiana Pacers haven't gotten nearly enough attention for the exceptional season they've had under coach Frank Vogel's watch.

Maybe all that attention was a bit too preoccupied with the fate of the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard.

With Howard out for the playoffs after having back surgery, this should be a cakewalk for the Pacers. We can all hope for a magical Disney-like Orlando upset, but reality is unlikely to be so kind.

Prediction: Indiana should dominate virtually every game and move on after a 4-1 series. 

First Round: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are too deep with talent to let the Los Angeles Lakers walk all over them, but they will struggle to win more than two games in this series.

Kobe Bryant's jumper may go cold for a game or two. Andrew Bynum might get tired of running up and down the court in Denver's high altitude.

At the end of the day, though, Los Angeles' postseason experience, elite size, and superstar talent will just be too much for the Nuggets to shut down over the course of seven games. Guys like Ty Lawson, Danilo Galinari, Al Harrington and Wilson Chandler can shoot the Nuggets in and out of games. 

Prediction: Lakers could struggle on the road, but will take the series 4-2.

First Round: Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks

With Al Horford almost certainly out for the first round, the Atlanta Hawks' chances of getting out of the first round are thin at best. The Boston Celtics have been on a tear since the All-Star break, and it is hard to imagine Atlanta getting in the way of a very determined veteran team.

Josh Smith and Joe Johnson may lead the Hawks to an upset or two, but winning four games against Boston right now is unthinkable.

Prediction: Boston keeps on rolling, taking the first round 4-1. 

First Round: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers have a lot to be proud of after this season. Chris Paul has disappointed no one in his MVP-caliber campaign to bring this franchise back to life.

Nevertheless, the Memphis Grizzlies have too much depth, size and speed for the Clippers to pull this series out. Blake Griffin's postseason inexperience could become a problem for Los Angeles, and its defense could be an even bigger problem, especially against a squad with shooters like Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo.

Prediction: Memphis played like a contender for the second half of the season—they'll take this series in six games.

Eastern Conference Semifinals: Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics

If the predictions made thus far hold true, this could be one of the most intriguing series of the playoffs.

The Chicago Bulls have been arguably the league's best all-around team for the duration of the season, even when Derrick Rose was sidelined. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have gotten hot at exactly the right time. 

If Derrick Rose isn't playing at 100 percent, Rajon Rondo could have a huge series, and Luol Deng will have his defensively capable hands full with Paul Pierce.

Over the course of a long series, however, Chicago's far superior depth should pay off—even with the shortened rotations that typify the postseason.

Prediction: Chicago edges out Boston, 4-3. 

Eastern Conference Semifinals: Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have a much better bench than the Miami Heat, and that could make this series closer than anyone expects it to be.

Indiana also has the kind of length and quickness to give LeBron James and Dwyane Wade a little more trouble than they're used to—Paul George and Danny Granger aren't exactly "stoppers," but they could get in LeBron's face often enough to take a game or two from Miami.

The Pacers' All-Star center Roy Hibbert could also create some havoc for Miami's comparatively undersized centers (Joel Anthony, Udonis Haslem).

If Dwyane Wade is playing at full strength, though, the Heat should have enough to get by.

Prediction: Miami holds on to win a surprisingly close seven-game series. 

Western Conference Semifinals: San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Sure, the Memphis Grizzlies took down a beat-up San Antonio Spurs club in the first round last season. And yes, Memphis has been playing its best basketball ever as a franchise over the last couple of months.

But, let's not get too carried away. Nobody has been more dominant than the Spurs this season. 

Whatever doubts one may have about Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili remaining healthy and/or energized, the Spurs have incredible depth and always seem to have someone different come through. The additions of rookie Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson will make this iteration of San Antonio a tougher out, and the development of guys like Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal and Danny Green doesn't hurt either.

Prediction: It won't be easy for San Antonio, but the Spurs will prevail 4-2.

Western Conference Semifinals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Oklahoma City Thunder are probably the better of these two teams, but the real problem for the Los Angeles Lakers will be playing four games away from the Staples Center. The Lake Show was 15-17 on the road this season, and that could prove to be devastating against the Thunder.

The lethal combination of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden could prove to be even more devastating.

On paper, it certainly seems that Los Angeles would have an advantage inside the paint, but the Thunder's bigs are solid defensively. Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins won't outplay Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol on the offensive end, but they could do enough to slow them down.

Prediction: Thunder will sneak away with a classic 4-3 series. 

Eastern Conference Finals: Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat

Some will prematurely label this the "real" NBA Finals, but there's just no telling what to expect from this match-up.

The Chicago Bulls will be motivated by the need to avenge last year's loss to these same Miami Heat in the Conference Finals. They will need that urgency and more—if Chicago's role-players aren't firing on all cylinders, Chicago's core stars could falter against such a talented Miami team.

However, if Korver gets hot from deep and Taj Gibson plays up to his potential, the Bulls can make up the difference in close games.

Prediction: After rough series against the Knicks and Pacers, the Heat could be vulnerable. The Bulls should prevail, but who knows?

Western Conference Finals: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

If any team can outscore the Oklahoma City Thunder, it's the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio has averaged over 103 points this season, and they haven't been letting games get even remotely close of late.

Despite the small markets in play, this should be an exciting series thanks to the tempo and prolific scoring. San Antonio's experience and depth should give them the edge, however.

Prediction: The Spurs could keep building momentum as they go, just as they did in 1999 when San Antonio won its first title in another lockout-shortened season. They could end this series in six games.

NBA Finals: San Antonio Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls

The only team with depth comparable to the Chicago Bulls' bench is the San Antonio Spurs. They're also one of the few clubs with a coach as important as Tom Thibodeau.

In so many ways, the Bulls' imposing defense makes them the Spurs of old—a team that gutted out some ugly wins by putting a lid over the hoop.

This face-off between San Antonio's first-rate outside shooting and Chicago's airtight defense will be a lot of fun to watch, and either team has a very real chance of coming out ahead.

Prediction: The Spurs will get Tim Duncan his fifth ring just in time, even if it takes them all seven games (and it will).